Oppression

by Eric Chaet

I set myself against the oppression
of those consciously or obliviously
enjoying privileges at everyone else’s expense —
& against those who’d join them
at no matter whose expense —
or who would kill & replace the privileged —
& also against the oppression
of those who begin at disadvantages
&, rather than do what’s necessary
physically & mentally, too
to transcend their unsatisfactory situations
insist that everyone suffer as they do, punishing
whoever attempts to transcend their suffering —
& against the oppression of those
so unwilling to share the suffering
of those currently incapable of escaping suffering
that, even if they don’t take advantage of their incapacity
they add to their suffering by blaming them
for what they would avoid if they only knew how.